"Russia Levada Centre pollsters targeted as 'foreign agents'" is an article published today by the BBC News.
"The head of Russia's only independent polling agency, Levada Centre, has said it could be forced to close after a warning from officials that it had to obey a controversial new law. Prosecutors said the centre had to register as a "foreign agent" because it was involved in political activity and received foreign funding," the article reads.
"Levada Centre is one of a string of NGOs to be investigated recently. Critics say the law is meant to tarnish the image of civil society groups," the article claims.
In a statement, Levada Centre head Lev Gudkov said prosecutors had not only threatened the organisation with sanctions but had undermined its authority.
"The warning puts the Yuri Levada Analytical Centre in an extremely difficult position, in effect forcing it to cease its activity as an independent sociological research organisation, carrying out systematic polls of public opinion in Russia," BBC News quotes the statement. Mr Gudkov added that foreign funding amounted to only 1.5-3% of the centre's budget each year.
"The law requires the phrase "foreign agents" to be included in all materials produced by all affected NGOs. They would also have to undergo financial audits and issue twice-yearly reports on their activities. The Russian authorities say the law is needed to protect Russia from outside attempts to influence internal politics", the article reads.
But, according to the BBC News, critics say it could be used to prevent NGOs denouncing vote-rigging and other abuses.
